Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020
211. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport if further details will be provided on the search and rescue carried out for two paddleboarders (details supplied) on 13 August 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28202/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis incident attracted a high level of interest and fortunately had a most successful outcome in that the two casualties were successfully located and rescued.
The Coast Guard was advised at 10;05pm on 12th August that two paddle boarders had earlier departed from Furbough Co Galway and failed to return. Galway Bay RNLI were tasked by the Coast Guard within three minutes of the initial call being received. The Lifeboat were recorded as proceeding to the scene at 10.25. The initial search was focused along the northern shore to ascertain if the missing persons were attempting to get ashore or had got ashore. The Aran Island All Weather Lifeboat was tasked at 11;19 pm. The Shannon based Coast Guard helicopter, which in accordance with standing arrangements was on 45 minutes notice after 10pm, was tasked to the scene at 11;02pm and was recorded as proceeding at 11.25pm
The search planning tool used by the Coast Guard automatically utilises wind and tide conditions and subsequent checks confirmed that information for the locality was accurately recorded. Search planning had to be mindful of many potential changing scenarios in terms of the potential location of the casualties with regard to changing tides, local weather variations, size and type of recreational watercraft involved and whether the casualties might have been individually separated or separated from the boards. The possibility that they might have paddled ashore or got access to another stationary device had also to be considered. In that context a number of reports of potential sightings were also considered, most of which were investigated. The casualties were eventually located within the predicted search box, mindful that with the passage of time this box would have considerably expanded. Prior to the casualties being located the focus of the search was moving to the South West of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. In the early hours of the morning of 13th August, aerial and surface searches were conducted from Kilronan, to Inish meain and Inisheer. Further aerial, surface and coastal searches of the South West were similarly tasked. Participating units included Costelloe Bay and Doolin Coast Guard boat units.
Shortly after 11 Am on the 13th of August a member of the public on Inisheer alerted Valentia Coast Guard to a possible sighting South West of the island. A number of resources were tasked to the area. This communication was picked up by the vessel Johnny O, operated by the members of the Oliver family and they were requested by Valentia to also proceed to the area of interest. As is well documented the Oliver’s were first on scene and successfully located and recovered the casualties.
